2027 Best Value Political Science Master’s Degree Schools
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong political science education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 57 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for political science students.
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2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the political science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Political Science Schools
Our analysis ranked Princeton University the best value for a degree in political science in the United States. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Political Science graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $63,317. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
University Of Florida came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $16,068 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $31,574. That is a strong return on a $16,068 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned it the #3 place for political science. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Political Science graduates carry a median of $15,100 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $41,200. Set against $15,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #4 place for political science. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Political Science graduates carry a median of $10,614 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $29,818. Set against $10,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $18,700. Early-career political science graduates make about $46,645. Set against $18,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #6 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $15,000. Early-career political science graduates make about $34,392. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida landed the #7 spot for political science value this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,344. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $35,937. Set against $21,344 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego came in at #8 for value in political science this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $16,030. Political Science graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $33,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,030 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
American Public University System earned the #9 position for value in political science this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Political Science graduates carry a median of $18,304 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $69,309. That is a strong return on a $18,304 median debt.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #10 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $45,418. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine earned the #11 position for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $16,293. Political Science graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $31,976 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,293 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #12 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $39,708 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $41,246. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #14 for value in political science this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Students borrow a median of $25,848 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $52,565. That is a strong return on a $25,848 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Vanderbilt University earned the #15 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Political Science graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $46,843. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston earned the #16 position for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $36,413. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #17 for value in political science this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $18,768. Political Science graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $42,688 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,768 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University landed the #18 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $17,068. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $38,060. Set against $17,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro placed #19 among the best values for political science. Located in the city of San Juan, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Political Science graduates carry a median of $13,190 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro generally make around $25,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Idaho State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $53,359 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #21 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,119 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $60,055 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,119 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #22 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $22,000. Early-career political science graduates make about $42,063. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Augusta University earned the #23 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Political Science graduates carry a median of $17,965 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Augusta University generally make around $56,168. Set against $17,965 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Eastern Illinois University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Political Science graduates carry a median of $24,739 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $28,721 early in their careers. Set against $24,739 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University landed the #25 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Political Science graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $96,306. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s political science value ranking:
Other Political Science Degree Levels
Explore the best-value political science schools at other degree levels:
View All Political Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 57 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
